Can we afford socialized medicine?

Question

If the Democratic candidate gets into office and socialized medicine is brought in to law, can we afford to support this program?

Answer 1

I have lived in Europe where private insurance companies work hand in hand with government to create universal healthcare.
Our nation doesn't have the best healtcare in the world, in fact we are pretty far down the list. The cost of our healthcare is more than twice as much as the next most expensive (Switzerland) which has much better and more extensive care.
Our costs are skyrocketing and our employers are trying to lift that burden off their shoulders. We can and must create a system that is a marriage of government and business to provide affordable insurance for all Americans. The key is for all to be insured, no more deadbeats who jack the price up for those with insurance. It can be done. With that burden off of our businesses, our economy will benefit and our health will benefit. Don't worry, you will still be able to choose your own doctor.

Answer 2

we can afford a war that we can't win . which cost us Trillions. We could have easily afforded socialized medicine, especially in this day and age...since we can code dieseases and know before hand how much it costs for example an appendectomy....or a cholecystectomy ....and can streamline sicknesses, besides socialized medicine is not free....a percent gets taken out of your salary just like we do now for HMO's socialized medicine is a form of HMO except that you can't turn down somebofy regardless how sick they are. Right now we give away medicine for the poor for free. This costs us as much as if we include everybody in a plan and more.. With sociliazation of medicine we would immunisize more children and save a bunch of money that way...not having to treat them later....more people would receive flue shots..pneumonia shots hepatitis shots...strep and staph shots...we would prevent treatment of expensive long term medial problems.

Answer 3

Almost every developed country in the world has a working socialized medicine safety net at least.
If other countries can afford it, of course the US can.
Not having social medicine costs the economy a great deal in lost productivity.

Answer 4

The reality is we already pay for it. Those of us who actually pay our bills, pay for the ones that don't, in order to remain profitable, the hospital builds the extra cost into everyones bills. And as for government employees, retirees and the really poor, we already pay for them too, nearly 1/3 of our taxes go directly to these programs.

The problem will be that Congress will screw around and only do something for a small percentage of the population, which will raise taxes and insurance costs and medical bills for the rest of us. Nothing will be fixed and few will benefit.

But the members of Congress and all government employees will have the best healthcare our tax money can buy them, for life.

And I, on the other hand will pay nearly $8500 per year, if I never get sick and never use my insurance, and if I get sick tack on another $3500 deductible, while my tax money helps someone else.

Great system

Answer 5

Oh please, have any of you folks lived in a country with national health? Talk about inefficient. If you want something to be efficient and affordable why would you turn it over to politicians and the government. Even if we had a national health plan, anyone with the means would pay into a private scheme and opt for better care and privilege above the masses.

Answer 6

Yes, if we stop giving healthcare and other social benefits to illegal immigrants

Answer 7

Healthy people who lead active lifestyles shouldn't foot the bill for fat lazy people who trash their bodies.